Kolkata: Seven Bangladeshi nationals and an Indian were arrested from various places in central Kolkata following the busting of an international racket in forged passports, police said on June 1.

All the eight were remanded to police custody till June 6 by a city court.

Acting on a tip off, Jorasanko police raided a guesthouse at Zakaria Street on May 31 night and arrested 6 Bangladeshi people with forged passports in their possession.

After interrogating the six, the police raided yet another guesthouse in the same locality. Another man, who claimed that he was from Tripura was arrested and two forged passports seized from him.

Following confessions by the man, the police raided a hideout in Madhyamgram in North 24-Parganas from where another Bangladeshi was arrested, police said.

Initial investigation revealed that the forged passport racket was operating in both the countries and was involved in sending Bangladeshis to the Middle East via India, as the fare from India was lower by about Rs 10,000, the police said.

PTI